Bilk - no 028 - 1989 03

Magazine Overview

Title: Bilk
Issue: 28
Volume: March 1989
Publisher: Ulrich Magin
Country: West Germany
Price: 15 German Marks

This issue of Bilk, a magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, covers a wide range of topics including lake monsters, sea serpents, unidentified submerged objects (USOs), whales, and sharks.

Behemoth: Lake Monsters and Sea Serpents

Loch Ness

The issue begins with a report from Raphael Imbert of Rognes, France, detailing a sighting by Mme. Macdougall in the summer of 1982. She observed a large, gray-black hump in Loch Ness that basked in the sun for seven minutes before diving and reappearing three minutes later, finally submerging. Mme. Macdougall stated that Operation Deepscan did not pass Foyers Bay. Imbert also sent a sketch resembling Tim Dinsdale's 'thing'. The report notes that it's unclear if the sighting was a boat, monster, or wave. Additionally, a 'puma'-like monster was reportedly seen at Strathnairn near Inverness in March 1988. The article also references news about the bridge over the Moray Firth and earthquakes, and floods of the River Ness.

Bibliography

Ian Watson has published a SF-novel 'Fire Worm' linking the Lambton Worm with psychotherapy. A review in the Observer (18. Dec 88) notes its publication by Gollancz in 1988. The issue also mentions a winged serpent sighting in the French Alps in 1931 or 1932 by André Mellia, and similar creatures reportedly seen in Italy. Contributions from 'Die Zeit' on Loch Ness and dragons are cited, along with U. Magin's article on European dragons. A report from Saudi Gazette/SG mentions a crocodile-like creature explained as an escaped lizard.

Lake Monster Traditions

A new book, 'Lake Monster Traditions: A cross-cultural study' by Michel Meurger, is highlighted. Published by Fortean Tomes, it is described as a comprehensive study of lake monster phenomena, including myths, bottomless lakes, interconnected lakes, UFOs, ghost lights, mermaids, and humanoids. The reviewer highly recommends it, stating it's the best book on the subject and reflects many of their own ideas.

Siberian Monsters

An interview with Russian cryptozoologist Sergej Klimov, published in 'Die Tribüne' (East Germany), is featured. Klimov reported two sea serpent sightings and new facts about Siberian monsters. He mentioned famous Lake Chair in Jakutia, where Wassili Filippov took photographs of a monster, which were sealed by the local village Soviet. Klimov also noted an unnamed lake between Chair and Kular, unvisited by man. Vladimir Kutchme, a teacher, reportedly flew over this lake and saw a large creature surface before it dived. Klimov estimates there are 500,000 lakes in Jakutia, most unexplored.

Muskrat Lake, Toronto, Canada

A short report from The Ottawa Citizen (13 Oct 88) discusses Michael Bradley, a Toronto author researching the Muskrat Lake monster. Bradley claims to have made three unusual sonar contacts and possibly seen 'Mussie', the creature, from his boat. He described it as a two-meter, dull red animal that moved too fast to be photographed. Carolyn Gray, the expedition's photographer, took pictures of the sonar screen. Locals reportedly dismiss Bradley's hunt as a farce. Bradley speculates the monster might be a primitive, landlocked walrus.

Isis: Evolution and Bipedalism

An article by Francois de Sarre, "About an aquatic stage in man's evolution, with references to Max Westenhöfer and initial bipedalism," is mentioned as being in Bipedia 2 (March 1989). The same issue includes an article by Edgar Dacqué on evolutionary stages, suggesting man passed through amphibian and reptilian stages, explaining mermaids and the American lizard man.

Leviathan: Sea Serpents and Marine Creatures

Russian Sea Serpents

'Die Tribüne' also reported two new sightings of sea monsters from the USSR. In 1961, Estonian fishermen found a strange sea creature carcass weighing 5 tonnes, which Klimov compared to a Japanese find near New Zealand in 1977 (believed to be a decomposed shark). The fishermen discarded the carcass before scientific investigation. A second report details Captain Sergej Lebedev's encounter with a creature in the 4th Kurile Strait. The ship approached within 20-30 meters, but was deterred by the creature's size. The visible part of its back was about 15 meters in diameter. Bubbles rose, and the creature dived. The report speculates this might not be a typical sea serpent but possibly related to Kraken traditions.

Harlech, Wales

A giant leatherback turtle stranded in September 1988 was mentioned.

Dhiba, Saudi Arabia

Rafi Ahmed and Attallah Al Huwamil found a large turtle on the beach. Initial reports claimed it was 500 years old and weighed 450 kilos, requiring six people to lift it. The Governor of Tabuk ordered it kept in the zoo. A later correction in the Saudi Gazette stated the turtle was at least 40, possibly 100 years old, and weighed 375-175 kilos. It was identified as a female green sea turtle, possibly carrying eggs.

Kraken: Giant Octopuses

An article by Fred Bavendam on *Octopus dofleini*, the giant octopus of the Pacific Ocean, is referenced from Geo magazine.

USOS: Strange Submarines

Sweden

The ongoing issue of strange submarines in Swedish territorial waters is discussed. On September 2, 1988, Swedish patrol boats fired depth charges at a suspected foreign submarine. On September 14, the Swedish Navy announced testing a new anti-submarine weapon: a fishing line with a magnet. On September 28, the Navy stated that alien ships were constantly reconnoitering the coastline, evading patrols in island mazes, which Commander Lennart Danielsson suggested explained Sweden's lack of success in hunting them.

Whales: Strandings and Sightings

Reports include an 80-tonne, 74 ft blue whale washed ashore near San Francisco, USA. Around December 10, 20 dead whales washed ashore south of Tasmania. A dolphin stranded in Virginia, USA. A 6.7-meter, 2.446 kg whale stranded at Orlando, Florida. 31 pilot whales beached at La Paz Bay, Mexico, requiring 40 people to assist. A dolphin stranded at Augusta, Perth, Australia. On February 13, a 16 ft, 25-ton sperm whale washed ashore near Oostduinkerke, Belgium, the first such stranding since 1963.

Sharks: Attacks and Folklore

Fifteen dolphins reportedly protected a 17-year-old from a tiger shark attack off Sydney, Australia. A 24-year-old woman was attacked by a shark off Ventura, California. Luciano Costanzo was killed by a shark off Tuscany. A hunt for a supposed 20 ft white shark ensued. A 7.2m fox shark caught off Tunesia proved to be innocent. The issue also notes that the sea at Genoa is at its lowest level in 80 years, leading local fishermen to revive superstitions and flock to churches, while people in Saudi Arabia are asked to pray for ran.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Bilk maintains its focus on the unexplained, presenting a diverse collection of reports on cryptids, potential extraterrestrial or unknown craft, and unusual marine phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various sightings and studies without definitive conclusions, often citing multiple sources and acknowledging skepticism (e.g., the local reaction to the Muskrat Lake hunt). The magazine encourages readers to engage with these mysteries, as evidenced by the strong recommendation for Michel Meurger's book on lake monsters.